How lean enterprise helps feed those in need

Hunger is everyone’s problem, every day. Thankfully, most of us are able to get enough nutritious, even delicious, food to eat to quell our unrelenting appetite at least several times a day. Others aren’t so fortunate.

Through the charitable, nonprofit good works of volunteers, Feeding America San Diego provides nourishment for more than 73,000 children, families and seniors, each and every week. That’s how many of our fellow citizens depend on the generous gift of something to eat.

Every dollar donated turns into six meals for an individual in need. To sustain this hunger-relief effort, Feeding America San Diego depends on the support of individuals, corporations and community groups.

As part of SDSU’s Extended Studies certificate program on Lean Enterprise, students regularly take part in charitable causes such as Feeding America San Diego. Now in its 15th year, the certificate program offers a blend of classroom activities, company tours and application to real-world projects.

The next 12-week Lean Enterprise session begins Thursday, March 13 and continues through June 5.

Justifiably, the program has drawn favorable attention from several San Diego-area businesses that desire to streamline their processes to improve performance, including TaylorMade/adidas Golf, the Carlsbad-based golf equipment and products firm.

Roemar and Saake joined fellow students on a project whose goal was basic: Improve scheduling, receiving, ordering, and the physical allocation of food for Feeding America San Diego.

As a direct result, standardized best-practices were put in place and overall workflow was streamlined.

Kevin Limbach, vice president of U.S. operations for TaylorMade, said the idea was a natural out-growth of the Lean Enterprise program.

“We saw the opportunity for more food to be sent to hungry people faster and with less waste when Lean was applied,” Limbach said. “We thought this would be a very impactful project. What’s more important than making sure hungry people are fed?”

Throughout the program, students work in project teams and apply Lean concepts to their own workplaces. They also tour San Diego companies such as TaylorMade to see Lean principles in action.

Mike Osterling, one of the program’s facilitators, cited the Taylor Made/Feeding America San Diego partnership as especially meaningful.

“It’s fantastic that SDSU can serve as a conduit between a public corporation and a nonprofit,” he said. “Plus, it’s further proof that Lean Enterprise principles are relevant, and can be applied in almost any environment.”

Henry DeVries, director of public outreach at UC San Diego Extension, is co-author of the books “Closing America’s Job Gap” and “How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett.” He also provides career tips on San Diego 6 TV and can be contacted at hdevries@ucsd.edu or followed on Twitter @goodjobs_forall.

Henry DeVries, director of public outreach at UC San Diego Extension, is co-author of the books “Closing America’s Job Gap” and “How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett.” He also provides career tips on San Diego 6 TV and can be contacted at hdevries@ucsd.edu or followed on Twitter @goodjobs_forall.